TOOLIO
A vocabulary learning app.
Overview
Toolio is a language application that aims to provide both visual & auditory learning based on the individual's choice. I was involved from the inception of the idea to the low fidelity prototype and reiterations through usability testing.
Toolio was created for a mobile application for Careerfoundry, a UX Design bootcamp.
Tools
Marvel
GoogleForms
Powerpoint
Role
UX/UI Designer,
Research, Prototyping & Testing
Duration
Mar. - Apr. 2020
(1 month total)
Problem
People live busy lives and feel they do not have enough time to practice. Users are interested in learning, but need a way to be held accountable and motivated. The boring part of studying is the repetition. I sought to solve this question:
"How can we make users feel motivated?"
When we know we have solved this question when we see users studying vocabulary on average at least 4 times a week for a period of 6 months.
Hypothesis
We believe that by creating a simple interface focusing on learning a certain category of words per day while integrating the use of context/stories would encourage users to allocate time towards learning. Users feel they don't have ‘enough time’, but when they feel they can use that word immediately, it would make users realize that learning is now worth the time.
By integrating games, auditory, and interactivity into learning each flashcard of words, it will ultimately motivate users to reach their goal with a 70% increase in retention of new vocabulary words.
Research
To narrow the scope and issues users had, I conducted research using 2 methods presented in the information below:
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Competitive Analysis
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Surveys & Interviews
Competitve Analysis
Quizlet
Key Takeaways
Drops
Key Takeaways
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Focus of app is use of flashcards and making quizzes with other people or solely oneself.
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Mass learning and sharing of content.
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Strong ratings.
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Simple & easy navigation.
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40+ languages to learn from.
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Focus of the app is learning vocabulary.
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Timed 5 min sessions to make users concentrated on learning and reviewing.
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Strong ratings.
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Possibility of reviewing words with premium.
Memrise
Key Takeaways
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Strong 4.6 rating from1.3 million+ users.
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Focuses on both writing and spelling.
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Offline mode available.
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Users can learn with locals and compare pronunciation with local speakers.
Surveys & Interviews
After discussion with 3 users about language learning, I found certain commonalities:
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"The biggest difficult in learning a language is finding the time and becoming consistent."
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"Not being able to use the language I want to learn makes it so difficult to retain."
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"Incorporating audio features that allow me to speak and hear would be useful."
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"Learning a language is so empowering and the best is understanding others."
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"I use it mainly went I want to travel or I watch a show."
Define
Using the research I conducted, I put myself into the user's perspective and defined my audience using 2 methods:
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User Personas
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User Stories
I discovered frustrations of Vanessa by mapping out different needs and behaviors.
User Personas
User Stories & Job Stories
Ideate
I created the layout for a user friendly flow within the application from one screen to the next. I used 2 methods to map out how I would construct the app:
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User Flows
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Informational Architecture
User Flows
Task 1 - Signing In
Entry Point: Start Application
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Open Application.
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User chooses between registering for a new account or login.
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Under ‘Register’, users can choose 3 methods.
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Once the user registers, a confirmation email will be sent.
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Under ‘Login’, users enter a previously used information.
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User will be taken to home screen.
Success Criteria:
User is successfully verified and able to login using the application.
Task 2 - Learning Vocabulary
Entry Point: Start Application
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Open App to Homepage.
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Select 'Practice Vocabulary'.
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Choose a category (i.e. fruits, drinks).
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User chooses learning style (auditory or visual).
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User starts lesson with the timing outlined.
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Once finished lesson, users can either view words in different situations (context) or finish without reviewing the situational use of the word.
Success Criteria:
User has successfully learned and used vocabulary in different scenarios.
Wireframes
& Prototypes
I decided to focus on mobile applications. From my user research, I mapped out 2 features that would be most important for my language learning application. This includes:
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Signing Up
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Learning New Vocabulary
Low Fidelity Prototype
Task 1: Signing Up
Task 2: Learning New Vocabulary
Usability
Testing
I performed 4 moderated remote usability tests with individuals who used language learning apps everyday to users who do not use it often. Some key issues I found includes:
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Users wanted the 'time' option to be clearer.
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The word 'context' is unclear.
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Users were confused on where they could change the language they were learning.
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1 user thought the 'continue as guest' was clickable.
From the feedback I received, I made changes to the prototype shown below.
Low Fidelity
Prototypes
I created low fidelity prototypes for a mobile application.
This was my first UX challenge and I learned the importance of asking open ended questions for more feedback. Furthermore, keeping initial wireframes low fidelity will allow me to focus on the important tasks, allowing me to become more efficient.
If I were to continue to build upon Toolio, developing it into a high fidelity prototype for the future while constantly reiterating and testing features.
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